HARRISON
NEW ALSACE
December 2017 THE BEACON Page 21
HARRISON
By Nicole Williams
Community Correspondent
harrison @ goBEACONnews . com
This weather ! I have heard term “ Indian Summer ” more than I can count . Indian summer is described as a period of unseasonably warm and dry weather that can occur in autumn in the Northern Hemisphere . As we start to think about what food will grace our table for the big upcoming turkey feast , I am grateful for the extended summer and excited about the upcoming holiday season .
The Harrison Community celebrated the rededication of Village Park on Oct . 14 . This date marks the park ’ s two hundredth anniversary . Many couples throughout Harrison have fond memories of getting married under the original gazebo that still stands in the middle of the downtown park , located a block across the street from St . John the Baptist Church . The park is now referred to as Tunis Park in honor of Jabez C . Tunis , who donated the land in 1817 . The local VFW , American Legion , and Amvets all attended the afternoon ceremony in honor of Revolutionary war soldier , Aaron Bonnel and his family , who are buried in the park . A Revolutionary War-era flag was raised , a rifle salute was performed , followed by taps and bagpipes . The new cemetery fencing and tombstone repairs , donated by Jonas Memorial Art , really add to the overall look of the park . With Veteran ’ s Day approaching , it is good to see our history being brought back to life as well as our parks being refreshed .
The largely anticipated 2017 Minges and Weber Family Pumpkin Festival took place this past Oct . 21 and 22 . The Minges Festival originally began in 1984 . It slowly transformed from a small backyard gathering into an event that brings together thousands of people from all over the region to celebrate fall . The festival was relocated to a neighboring family farm in 2015 on Kilby Road . With the guidance and support of the Minges family , the Weber family hopes to see the tradition continue in its success .
The annual event always takes place on the third weekend of October . This year the crowd was large and continuous . The apple butter and homemade lavender soaps I saw are a staple to our area . Pumpkins and gourds of every shape and color could be seen . The petting zoo always seems to be a hit as with both kids and adults .
Miami Whitewater invites residents to join in their annual “ housekeeping ” as they
O ur
Stephanie and Madison Edmiston ( 1 years old ) enjoying the sunshine and pumpkins at the festival .
prep the park for another promising year . The Badland ’ s Trail has a unique contour that features diverse plant life along the 1.7-mile excursion . The natural wildflowers along the trail have made a comeback . Volunteer to help combat the invasive Honeysuckle along the Gorge Trail . To register , visit greatparks . org .
Do you have any news ? Somebody doing great things in our community ? If any Harrison residents would like to share anything in The Beacon please do so at Harrison @ goBEACONnews . com .
NEW ALSACE
By Maxine Klump
Community Correspondent
newalsace @ goBEACONnews . com
Brandon Hoffman was presented the Eagle Scout Award , the highest award in Boy Scouts , on Oct . 1 . Brandon belongs to Boy Scout Troop 646 in New Alsace . For his project , Brandon developed the plans for and installed the landscaping around a new concrete courtyard at New Horizons Rehabilitation Center . He was assisted by other troop members with moving dirt , assembling a new basketball goal , and mulching the area around the courtyard . His Eagle Scout project was coordinated with Girl Scouts from Troop 48520 for their Silver Award . The girls made planter boxes for the courtyard . Brandon is also involved in 4-H , is an altar server at All Saints Parish . He is also the current FFA president for East Central High School . Brandon is the son of Zach and Stephanie Hoffman . Congratulations , Brandon . A great deal of effort and hard work is needed to become an Eagle Scout . Well done , Brandon !
Michael Damon achieved the rank of Sgt . First Class in the U . S . Army and is presently stationed at Twinsburg , Ohio . I am very proud of my grandson . Congratulations , SFC Michael Damon .
Nancy Lillie , my daughter , attended a workshop at Purdue University called , " The Nature of Teaching ( TNT ):
Communities
Food Wastes ." I asked why she would drive almost three hours to go to a workshop ? She replied that she has been going to the TNT workshops for many years , and they are some of the best she has attended . She can use what she learns with her students immediately - no changes or " reinventions " needed . The workshop was held at the John S . Wright Forestry Center where Nancy met up with her favorite professor , Rod Williams ( agriculture dept .). He and several Purdue Extension educators were the facilitators of the workshop . When the class was just about to start , Prof . Williams began telling a story about a teacher in northern Indiana that had come to many of the TNT programs , and that she excelled in getting students outdoors to learn about nature and its connection to content areas . He said that he invented a special award to give to her called the " TNT Dynamite Teacher Award ." and proceeded to present the award to Nancy . She was surprised and honored . She loves to take her students to the Outdoor Lab at North Dearborn Elementary School , and she uses the TNT classes to enhance her classes . Congratulations , Nancy !
The New Alsace American Legion Post # 452 will hold their December Euchre Tournament on Dec . 10 . Doors open at noon - play begins at 1 p . m . Everyone is welcome ! Our condolences to the family and friends of Robert Brinkmoeller , age 74 , who passed away on Sept . 28 . Bob was very active in the New Alsace American Legion Post # 452 . He also belonged to the Veterans of Foreign Wars , was a lifetime member of the National Rifle Association , and supported the Disabled Americans . He was a member of All Saints Parish . Mass of Christian Burial was at the St . Paul Catholic Church , All Saints Parish , with Rev . Jonathan Meyer officiating . Burial was at the St . Paul Catholic Cemetery . The New Alsace American Legion Post # 452 honored Bob with a 21- gun salute and flag ceremony . Family and friends were invited to the Legion Post Home for lunch and fellowship following the funeral .
I ' ll always remember Bob as a friendly person . He was a giving man - always smiling and ready to lend a helping hand .
We send our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Christina Deddens Weigel . Tina passed away on Oct . 1 . She leaves her husband , Steve Weigel , and children : Brian , Kelly , Elizabeth , and Nick . Tina is the daughter of Gerhard Deddens and the late Frances Deddens . She is the sister of David ( Michelle ) Deddens , Rose Linton , and Lynn Deddens . Mass of Christian Burial , officiated by Rev . Jonathan Meyer , was at the All Saints Church , St .
Joseph Campus , in St . Leon on Oct . 6 .
Tina was a wonderful person who touched the lives of many . I remember her smile and friendliness . She had a welcoming , warm personality . Mike and I enjoyed eating at " Christina ' s Restaurant " - the meals were delicious - breakfast , lunch , and dinner . Tina also volunteered her time at the St . Paul Church Picnics where she worked in the lunch stand with her parents , grandparents , and siblings . She was always so happy ! She ended her career as the kitchen manager at East Central High School . She will be greatly missed .
Christmas is a magical time of year . The days are cold and crisp , and most nights are clear and filled with stars . The ground is frozen and sometimes covered with snow . We decorate our houses , inside and out , with lights and tinsel . At our house , we always had Nativity Scenes . Christmas
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Landscaping around the new concrete courtyard installed by Brandon Hoffman and Girl Scouts from Troop 48520 .
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Yes , we greeted Santa Claus and opened gifts , but we knew that " Jesus is the reason " for our celebration . As a family , we attended Midnight Mass . Mass was deeply touching and , with the hymns , we celebrated Our Lord ' s birth .
One of my favorite memories is the night it snowed during Midnight Mass . When we left St . Paul ' s , we walked home in the snow . The stars were so brilliant . The moon was glowing , and the snow sparkled . God ' s creation was enchanting - a true blessing on Jesus ' birthday .
Another year , we walked up to visit Pop Klump on his birthday , Dec . 27 . On the way home , the moon was shining , and it was snowing . It was one of the most beautiful walks we had ever taken .
I wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving filled with happiness and blessings !
Space gone , so long .
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Brandon Hoffman earned the Eagle Scout Award
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